Breech-loading ordnance.



PATBNTED 00T. a,

s. N. MOGLEA'. y

BRBBGH LOADING oRDNANcE. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 5.1901.

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No. 800,757. PATBNTED 00T. 3, 1905.

S. N. MoGLBAN. BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGB.

- unicum! FILED oor. 5.1901.

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l A`nivirren s'rA'r To all whom zt muy concern.: f i `Be it known that I, SAMUEL N. MCCLEAN, a l Y resident of Cleveland, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in BreechLoad- 5 ing Ordnance, which is fully set forth in the following specification.

My invention relates to breech-loading ordnance, and has for its object to provide a breech mechanism and means for operating the same to open and close the breech` which means, together with said breech mechanism, shall be embodied in the fewest possible. number of parts, easily manufactu red at a minimum cost, accurate and reliable in operation, and not liable to get out of order.

A further object is to provide a gun which shall possess certain military advantages in that the4 manual of loading and firing the gun shall consist of but few and simple movements, while the gun by reason of its simplicity of construction may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled for inspection or y. icleaning or for'the purpose of disabling the gun in cases of emergency or threatened cap- 25 ture by an enemy.

With these objectsin View the invention consists in a gun having screw-threaded breechblock and a carrier therefor, one of which parts is provided with an annular way in a plane at right angles to the axis of the block and the other with a wing or lug entering rier may constitute a motor when power is k admitted thereto for operating the block to open and close the breech.

The invention further consists in a breechblock carrier and a carrier-su pporting bracket so constructed and arranged with relation to each other that they become a .motor for swinging the carrier from and to the breech l., of the gun to open andclose the breech. I'. Furthermore, the invention consistsin a gun u having a screw -threaded breech -block, a

breech-block carrier. and a carrier-supporting bracket all so combined as to constitute .two motors which act successively to unlock the breech-block and swing it from the gun and to return and relock it again when the flow of the motive fluid is reversed through the motors by suitable means provided for that purpose. Any suitable source of motive power may be employed without departing from the broad features of the invention mentioned above; but I prefer to utilize the energyvdue to the discharge ot' the gun, and in Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Oetober 5, 1901. Serial No. 77.720.

4 said way to the end that said block and car-4 .PATENT oFFIIoi SAMUEL N. MieoLEAN, oF CLEVELAND, oHIo.

BREECH-LOADlNG RDNANCE- Patented Oct.

the preferred form of the inventi illustrated the power utilized for the motors is that due to the enel-g,` stored in the recoil-cylinders, and t is transmitted from the non-recoil ders on the carriage to the motors upon and recoil with the gun in the motor Huid under pressure` which n is transmitted from the recoilcylin motors by means of rigidpiping'oi instead of flexible hose connections. ably this rigid connection is in the hollow piston-rod connected to the pi recoil-cylinder and to the gun and from a point within the cylinder to t operating the breech mechanism. Su Huid maybe of any desired descri) in the construction herein shown it r oil or glycerin with which the recoi is illed, a spring being employed to gun to `battery after recoil and place glycerin-under pressure. 4' It is cbt air might be employed as a substitut the spring and oil, and if so used the be the mechanical equivalent of the s oil. By preference two cylinders pistons and piston-rods are l emplo passages connecting the cylinders a spective ends and with a piston an rod in each cylinder, the motive fli taken through one piston-rod to tl and returned .through the other p which latterthus becomes the meal veying the exhaust fluid back to the for further use. The flow of the'mi to the `motor or motors for oper breech mechanism is controlled by valveby operating which the direct motive fluid through the motor or m be reversed so as to open or close tl: as may be desired. This valve ma; ated manually, and anoperating-han vided for that purpose; but I prefe ate it automatically, and for this I provide means for operating the val by itis turned during recoil in apositi` the breech, the valve-operating mea then held against reverse action, wt the valve to close the breech until the .of the charge, which latter automat crates a part (preferably the ejector) l valve-operating means and permit th be shifted into positionv to close the The invention also consists in ci tails of improvement, which will b icribed and then pointed out in the of course be understood that parts nvention may be employed without le whole and that the inventive idea may receive various mechanicalexfor the purpose of illustration shown ,ccompanying drawings one of the hich the invention may assume; but e understood that such drawings are d for illustration only and not as de- .e limits of the invention. i drawings, Figure 1 is a transverse l plan of the breech of the gun, the lock being shown in full. Fig. 2 is f the breech end of the gun Ywith the losed. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of Fig. 4 is a vertical section through ier-motor and the controlling-valve. .s a plan view of the breech-block. a transverse section of the block on 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal )f the carrier. Fig. 8 is a side eleva- 'he valve and its casing, showing in ines the ports and channels therein. 1 a broken elevation of the gun and carriage, showing the recoil mechanig. 10 is a sectional plan through the 'linders. Fig. 11 is a cross-section on 11, Fig. 10. -Fig. 12 is a diagramew showing 'the course of the motive 'ough the valve to the breech-block carrier-motors when the valve is in to open the breech. Fig. 13 is a like :.h the valve in position to close the Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan of r lobe of the carrier. Fig. 15 is a matic view showing the automatic )r operating the valve, the gun being 'y position and the valve in position the breech. Fig. 16 is a like View, being at the end of its recoil and the Yposition to open the breech. Fig similar diagrammatic View with the pen and before a charge has been inhe valve being in position to open Fig. 18 is a detail of the ejector. .s a detail of the ejector and the catch strains the valve-operating rack, and s a further detail of the same. 'ing to the drawings, ,1 is a gun mountle in aA cradle 2, which latter is held 'earward movement on any suitable Supported under the cradle 2 are il-cylinders 3 and 4. within which are i and 6, having hollow piston-rods 7 yending rearward through thev ends of )ective cylinders 3 and`4 and secured l, depending from'and rigidly secu red eech end of the gun. Springs 1() and 'laced in the cylinders 3 and 4 bee pistons 5 and 6 and the rear ends of ders, which latter arel illed with any liquid, as oil or'glycerin, and are scories? provided with connecting passages 12 and 13 between their respective ends. The pistors 5 and 6 are provided with suitable openings 14 and 15, passing from the front to the rear face of the piston and controlled by valves 16 and 17, which open as the pistons move rearward upon recoil, but close when the pistons move forward under the influence of their springs. Y Thehollow piston-rod 7 opens into the cylinder 3 at 18 on the rear side of' the piston 5, andthe rod 8 opens into the cylinder 4 at 19 on the front side of the piston 6. The'piston-rods 7'and 8 are firmly secured to the lug9 by nuts 20 or other means, so that. they are compelled to partake of all of the backward and forward movements of the gun.

The breech-block 21 is here shown as of the conical continuously-threaded type and has a rear part 22, around which is cut an annular groove or way 23 in a plate at right angles to the axis of the block, and this groove is filled fora portion of its length,as at 24: For convenience of manufacture I preferto cut the groove or way as a complete annular groove and then insert the part 24, as shown; but such part 24 may, it' desired, be integral with the block. For the purpose of lightening the block and housing the `tiring mechanism the block may be hollowed ont, as at 25. A vbreech-block carrier 26 is mounted to turn on a bracket 27 at one side ot' the breech end of the gun. rI his carrier 26 is in the form of a cylinder or vcup open at its forward end and embracing the rear portion of the breech-block 21 and provided With an inwardly-projecting wingor lug 28 onits interior surface, (see dotted lines, Fig. 3,) which enters and forms a fluid-tight [it in the groove or way 23 on the block. To enable the breech-block and carrier to be conveniently assembled, the wing or lug 28 is formed separate from the carrier, and in assembling the parts the lug 28 is placed in the groove 23 in the breech-block, after which the block is slipped into place in the carrier and the lug 28 secured to the carrier by suitable means, as a screw, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

IOO

lf desired, a packing-ring 29 maybe employed.

to effect a duid-tight joint between the breech-` block andthe carrier. The bracket 27 isiirmly secu red to one side of the gun-breech and has a partially-cylindrical portion 30, having a cylindrical opening 31 therethrough and -a vertically-extending rib 32, Fig. 1, on its outer surface. Fitting tightly within opening 31 is a valvevcasing 33, within which is a valve composed of a sleeve 34 and a Valve-stern 35, which sleeve and stem are mounted to turn in the casing 33, and will hereinafter be referred to as -the "vali/ie. The 1valve-Casimir 33 eX- tends below the bracket, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and the piston-rods 7 land 8 are connected thereto. rier 26 which, engages the bracket 27 is par tially cylindrical and has top and bottom flanges 37 and 38, which embrace the valve- That portion 36 of the car- A 6o and 12, to a port 52, which registers with a lss proper points.

`tral passage 48. tom lobe 38 of thecarrier is divided into two casing 33. On the inside, top, and bottom surfaces ot' the flanges 37 and 38 are cut` grooves 41 and 42, preferably concentric with the valve-casing 33, andl the part 36 on the carrier also has an inwardly-projecting vertically-extending lip or rib 43 at one end and a like lip or rib 44 at the other en d, and when the carrier and bracket are assembled the rib 32 on the bracket lies between the ribs 43 and 44 on the carrier, 'so that said ribs 32, 43, and 44, together with the outer surface o# the part' 30 of the bracket 27 and the inner surface of the part 36 of the carrier, constitute closed motor-chambers 45 and 46.

The chamber formed by the groove 23 in the breech-block and the walls of the carrier constitutes a motor for operating the block,

while the chambers 45 and 46 together constitute a motor or pair of motor-chambers for operating the carrier and for the purpose of controlling the ow voi motive fluid to and from said motors the valve, composed of the sleeve 34 and stem 35, is 'placed in the valve` casing 33, so as to turn therein, the valvecas'ing', however, being tightly littedin the opening 31 in the bracket, the fit being so close that the casing is not free to turn. The bottom 'of the casing is of greater diameter than the opening 31 in the bracket, (see Figs. 4 and 8,) and when the parts are assembled the casing is pushed up through the bracket and the lobes 37 38 on Vthe carrier and a cap 47 screwed thereon, so that the valve-casing becomes thepintle around which the carrier turns. The valve-stem has several grooves machined on its exterior surface and a central longitudinal passage 48 is formed therein. When the sleeve '34 is slipped over the stem, the grooves on 4the stem form passages into which inletand `otlet ports are 'drilled at Passages are also formed through the valve vsleeve and stem to the cen- The groove 42 in the botparts by partitions 49 and 50, (see Figs. 7 and similarly divided, and when the parts are assemble-dl 'these grooves are covered by the vouter portion of the hub 30 of the bracket, as

shown in Fig. 4. Fluid under pressure, which I shall call powen is transmitted throughl the piston-rod 7 and vented through the piston'rod 8, which latter is in communication tive positions of the valve. "which the valve occupies when the breech is with the central passage' 48 in both opera- That vposition closed and the valve set to open-it, as illustrated in Fig.` 12, will first be described. Power is admitted by way of piston-rod 7 to port P and passes along passage 51 on the valve, Figs. 8

abutmcnt 28, which enters said groov the abutment 28 cannot turn, the a 24, and with it the. breech-block, is 4l turn from right to left .for nearly a revolution, thereby disengaging the of the block from those on the gun.

this movement ofthe part 24 the iin groove in front of the part 24 i through a passage 54, formed in the the carrier and leading from groove block to the forward division of. gr Figs. 7 and 4, inthe lower lobe-38 it rier, andthence via port 55, to vent-p: and piston-rod 8 to vent. The block C to revolve until the part 24 abutsthe as shown in Fig. 13, when the powi via passageV 56, Fig.' 12, in the met: carrier to the rear half of the groove of which it emerges through port 57 tor-chamber 45, and, pushing the`f 43 ahead 'of it, operates to swing th around and open the breech. Whilf rier is swinging to open position th` chamber 46, Fig. 1, is vented throl 58 and passage 48. When 'the c swung fully open, the 'pressure re chamber 45 and serves to retain i1 position luntil the valve is shiftedy fr tion shown in Fig. 12 to that of Fig. I

` disconnects passage 51 from power nects passage 59, Fig. 13, with pc with chamber 46 via port-58 and alsc chamber 45 to vent via port 60, the i 61, Fig. 8, being thrown out of regi the port 58 and the vent-port 62 being into register with port 60. Power is plied to and moves abutment 44 and rier to closed position, chamber 45 through port 60. Just as the carrie its closed position abutment 44 unco 63, Figs. 1, 8, and 13, which connects. passage 64, Figs. 8 and 13, with the tion of groove 42 in lobe 38 of th andv thence via passage 65, Fig. 1e metal of the carrier to passage 54, l power is ledinto groove 23- n th block between abutments 24 and 28. and turning the block from left to ri screwing it home in the breech, duri theuid in groove 23 in front oft 'ment 24 is vented through passage V wherein a lever 68 is pivoted in a n the gun and has a part 69 in the lug 70 on the carrier whereby the actuated by the carrier to eject tl cartridge-shell. A handle 71 1s `at the valve-stem35, whereby the v:

ed by hand; but I prefer the coni of ejector and automatic valve-opnechanism illustrated in Figs. to lsive. In this construction a mutiar 72 is attached to the valve and is and operated bya rack 7 3, having a surrounded by a spring 75, conned or recess 7 6 on the gun, the spring between the front end 77 of thel box llar 78 on the rack-stem to force the rward. The number of teeth on the l valve are just sufficient to shift it ired distance. When the gun isin sition, Fig'. 15, a lug 79 on the `rackngaged by a spring-pressed lever 80, to a part 81 of the carriage, which recoil with the gun, and upon the .e lever 8O engages the lug 79 and the rack from moving rearward with thereby compressing the spring iing the rack 73 to turn' the valve position of Fig. 15 to that of Figs.

7, at which instant a cam 82 on the :es a pin 83 on lever 80 and depresses i engagement with the lug 79, (see and 17,) and a pawl 84 on the gun a notch 85 on the rack and holds it he tendency of its spring to force it The valve is now, Fig. 16, in popermit motive uid to pass to the J open the breech, and this being aced the parts occupy the position Fig. 17, in which the gun has moved so as to permit the cam 82 to free 8O and allow it to again rise behind 79, when the gun returns to battery Upon tripping the catch or pa'wl Lck 7 3 is free to move rearward unension of its spring from the posivn in Fig. 17 to that of Fig. 15, shifting the valve .into position to breech. Any suitable tripping debe employed to trip the catch 84;

afer to utilize the extractor for this The extractorV 86. Figs. 18 to 20, i in a recess formed in the breech e gun and has a'tail or arm extendexterior and'in the path of a lug 87 rrier at the termination of its openament. The ejector has a slight t beyond that of the lug 87 and has which as the ejector is in the act of iward upon the insertion of the shell er the tail of the catch 84 and lifts it e 'notch 85, thereby freeing the rack n the ejector moves in the opposite it does not actuate the catch 84, belower end has a knuckle-joint 89, vhich permits it to freely pass the hout affecting it. The lug 87 on the loves in a suitable slot cut in the r 90 on the bracket 27. Should it l to trip the catch by hand without a charge, this may be done by a assure on the lip of the extractor,

the slight freedom of movement between the tail of the extractor and the lug 87 being sufiicient for this purpose.

That is claimed is- 1. In a gun, a breech-block-operating motor composed of a breech-block and a carrier embracing said block, one of said parts having a groove in a plane at right angles to the axis of the block and the other of said parts having a wing or lug fitting into-said groove.

2. In a gun, a breech-block-operating motor composed of a breech-block having a circumferential groove formed therein in a plane at right angles to the axis of the block, and a wing or lug secured to the carrier and entering said groove in the breech-block.

block having a` motor groove or Way formed thereon, a carrier embracing said block, and a wing or lug removably secured to the carrier and fitting into said groove, and means admitting a motive fluid to the groove.

4. In a gun, the combination of a breechblock having a rearwardly-projecting cylindrical portion, a circumferential groove on said portion in a plane at right angles to the axis of the'block, a partition-wall or abutment in said groove, a carrier embracing said cylindrical portion and a wing or llug removably secured to the carrier and fitting into said groove, and means admitting a motive fluid to the groove.

5. In a gun, the combination of a breechblock carrier and a bracket on the gun pivotally supporting said carrier, said parts together constituting the walls of motor-chambers, whereby the carrier is swung to and from the breech of the gun.

6. In a gun, a carrier-operating motor composed of a bracket on the gun, and a carrier embracing the bracket and forming a motorchamber between the walls of the bracket and carrier.

block carrier, a bracket on the gun pivotally 'constituting the walls of 'motor-chambers operating to swing the carrier to and from the breech, and means in the axis of the carrier controlling the admission of motive fluid to said chambers.

8. In a gun, the combination .of a breechblock carrier, a bracket on the gun having a partially-cylindrical hub or part around which the carrier-swings, said hub and carrier constitutinga motor-chamber for swinging the carrier, 4anda valve in the hub of the bracket and controlling the admission of motive iiuidy to said chamber.

9.- In a gun, the'combination of a breechblock, a carrier, and a bracket supporting the carrier, said block and carrier coacting as a motor to operate the block, and said carrier and bracket coacting as a motor to operate the carrier.

3. In a gun, the combination of a breech-' 7. In a gun, the combination of a breech-v IIO supporting the carrier, said parts together 10. In a gun, the combination of a breechblock and a carrier one of which has agroove or way in a plane at right angles to the axiS of' the block and the other a lug or wing en- 5 tering said groove or way and constituting a motor to operate the block, with a bracket on the gun to which the carrier is pivoted, the carrier and bracket constituting the walls of a motor-chamber for operating the carrier.

I0 11. 'In a gun, the combination of a breech- 2o right angles t0 the axis of the block, a carrier supporting the block and having a lug or wing entering `said groove or way, a bracket on the gun having a hub-like portion which is embraced by the carrier to form a motor-chamber for operating the carrier.

13. The combination of a gun, a breechblock-operating motor carried thereby, a gun- Y carriage, a recoil-cylinder thereon constituting a source of motive iuid, a rigid pipe con- 3o nection from said cylinder to one side of said motor, and a return-pipe from the other side of the motor to the cylinder.

14. The combination-of a` gun, a breechblock-operating motor carried thereby, a guncarriage, a pair of recoil-cylinders thereon constituting a source of motive fluid, pistons in said cylinders, ahollow piston-rod connecting one pistonto one side of said motor., and a second hollow piston-rod connecting the other piston to the other side of the motor.

15. The combination of a gun, a breechblock and carrier coperating as a motor to operate the block, a'bracket on the gun cooperating with the carrier as a motor to op.- erate the carrier, a valve in the axis of the latter motor, agun-carriage, a recoil-cylinder therein constituting a source of motive iiuid and a pipevconnection from said cylinder to said valve. 16. The combination of a gun,`a breechblock and carrier coperating as a motor to operatethe block, a bracket on thegun cooperating with the carrier as a motor to operate the carrier, a valve in the axis of the latter motor, a gun-carriage, a pair of recoilcylinders thereon constituting a sou rce of motive duid, a pipe connecting onev of said cylind'ers to said valve, and a second pipe connecting the other cylinder to the valve where- -by power is admitted from olie cylinder to the motors through one pipe and exhausted through the other pipel to the second cylinder.

17; The combinationl of a gun, a breechblock and carrier coperating as a motor to operate the block, a bracket on the gun cooperating with the carrier as a m erate the carrier,'a valve in the latter motor, a gun-carriage, a pa cylinders thereon constituting a so tive Huid, a piston in each of said a hollow piston-rod leading from 1 one pistonl to said valve, and ahol rod leading from the rear of the o to the valve, whereby powerv is a said motors through one piston-1 hausted through the other.

18. The combination of a gun` block carrier and its motor carried a gun-carriage, a pair of recoil-cylix on constituting a source of motive ton in each of said cylinders, a hol rod leading from the front of one tons -to one side of the motor, al hollow piston-rod leading from the other piston to the other side of whereby motive uid is admitted t through one rod and exhausted t other.

19. The combination of a gun. block and its operating-motor, a i its operating-motor, a valve revers erations of said motors` and mear upon the insertion of the charge valve to close the breech.

20. 'The combination of a gun, block carrier pivoted thereon, a m( erating said carrier,'a valve for adn tive fiuid to opposite sides of said m( carried by the gun for operating s: device' restraining said means froir4 when the breech is open, and a t; said means/from said restraining d1 the charge is inserted, whereby tl shifted intoposition to close the b 42-1. The combination of a gun, block carrier pivoted thereon, a mo erating said carrier, a valve for adir tive Huid to opposite sides of said m teeth on said valve, a spring-presse ried by the gun and engaging said; means vchecking Athe rearward mc the rack and compressing its spr recoil of the gun, whereby the val' ated to admit pressure to the moto the carrier open, a check engaging to hold its spring compressed on th tion of they recoil, and a trip for s operated upon the insertion of tl whereby the valve is shifted to adm to the motor to swing the carrier to sition. 1

22. The combination of a gun,.- block carrier pivoted thereon, a mo erating said carrier, a valve for adm tive fiuid to opposite sides of said m1 teeth o n said valve, aspring-presse ried by the gun and engagingsaid g means checking the rearward mover rack and compressing its spring Qn of the gun, whereby the valve is o ssure to the motor to swing the eara check engaging said rack to hold compressed on the termination of and an ejector in operativ(` engage- 1 said check to trip it on the inseri charge, whereby the valve is shifted )ressure to the motor to swing the closed position. i combination of a gun, a breechrir pivoted thereon, a motor for said carrier, a valve for admitting id to opposite sides of said motor to means operating said valve, a check iid means inoperative when the cai'- ing open,and an ejector engaging i and tripping it when the charge is i gun, the combination of a breechits carrier coperating as a motor the breech-block, With a motor for the carrier, passages for motive igh the carrier from one motor to and a valve controlling the supply Huid to said motors. i gun, the combination of a breecha carrier one of which has a groove a plane at right angles to the axis :k and the other having a lug or ring said groove or Way, thereby breech-block motor, a bracket on i motor for swinging the carrier, a r motive fluid formed in the earxtending from the breech-block moearrier-motor and a valve for cone flow of motive uid to said motors. gun, the combination of a breechits carrier cooperating as a motor the block, with a bracket on the rating with the carrier as amotor the carrier, a motive-Huid passage in` the'metal of the carrier from the ck to the carrier-motor, and a valve 5 the admission of motive iuid to s. combination of a gun, and abracket aving a partially-cylindrical hub rial opening and a peripheral abut- 1 a breech-block carrier partially lsaid hub and having an abutment )site the abutment on the hub, the on the carrier forming a movable notor-chamber, and a valve in said ing admitting motive fluid to said mber. combination of agun, and abracket aving apartially-cylindrical hub :ial opening and a peripheral abut- 1 a breech-block carrier partially said hub and having abutments on ides of the abutments on the hub, nent on the carrier forminga movaspectively to two motor-chambers, e in said axial opening admitting ,d to said chambers. combination of the gun, the breech- 4block and its operating-motor, with the carriage, the recoil-cylinder thereon, and the pis` ton in said cylinder, with connections conveying' Huid-pressure i'roin one side of said piston to the motor, and other connections conveying the exhaust from said motor to the other side of said piston.

30. rIhe combination of thegun, the breechblock, its operating-motor, the carriage, the recoil-cylinder thereon, the piston in said cylinder, with rigid connections conveying uidpressure from one side of said piston to the motor, and other rigid connections conveying exhaust from said motor to the other side of said piston. Y

c 31. The combinationof the gun, the breechblock, the carrier, the carrier-operating m0- tor, the carriage, the recoil-cylinder thereon, and the piston in said cylinder, with connections conveying uid-pressure from one side of said piston to said motor, and other connections conveying the exhaust from said motor to the other side of the piston. v

32. The combination of the gun, the breechblock and its motor, the carrier and its motor, the gun-carriage, the recoil-cylinder thereon, and the piston in said cylinder, with connections conveying uid-pressure from oneside of said'piston to one of said motors, other connections conveying the exhaust from the other motor to the other side of said piston, and a passage for Huid-pressure between the motors.A

33. The combination of a gun, a recoil-cylinder having a motive iiuid therein, a breechblock, a motor for opening and closing the vbreech-block, and connections passing the motive Huid thro ugh the motor for operating the block to open and close the breech.

34, The combination of a gun, a gun-carriage, a source of motive Huid thereon, a

Y breech-block, a motor for operating the block to open and close the breech, and means conducting the motive Huid through said motor for operating said block to open and close the breech.

35. The combination of a gun, a ygun-carriage, a recoil-cylinder having a motive fiuid therein placed under pressure upon the discharge of the gun, a breech; block, a motor through which motive fluid is passed to operate the block to open and close the breech, and means conducting the motive iiuid from the cylinder through said motor for' operating the block to open and close the breech.

36. The combination of a gun, a source of motive fiuid placed under pressure by the discharge of the gun, a breech-block carrier mov- IOO IIO

able toward and from the breech, a motor for voperating the carrier in both directions, and means conducting the motive uid from its source through the motor for swinging the carrier in both directions.

37. The combination of a gun, a recoil-'cylinder containing a motive' uid placed under pressure upon'the discharge of the gun, a moing the motive Huid from the cylinder th roi tor, and a carrier forming an element in sai said means for both opening and closing motor and operated directly by said motive breech.

Huid. In testimony whereof I have signed l 5 38. The combination of a gun, a recoil-cylspecification in the presence of two subsc index' containing a. motive uidfplaced underl ing witnesses.

pressure by the discharge of the gun, a breech- SAMUEL N. MCCLEAB block, a breech-block carrier, means for op- Witnesses:

erating said block and carrier for opening S. T. CAMERON,

i IO and closing the breech, and connections pass` E. L. WHITE. 

